Macaw on the edge of extinction

Although capture of the Blue-throated Macaw (Ara glaucogularis) for the pet trade ceased in the early 1990s, wild population numbers are still very low.

Progress and outcomes: Since 2001, the World Parrot Trust has spearheaded the Blue-throated Macaw project, which has made significant strides in understanding the birds' reproductive and recovery issues. Recent research has found that predation (30%) and poaching (18%) are the leading causes of nest failure. Ongoing research also includes: timing of nesting, duration of nest provisioning period, daily pattern of nest visits by adult, differences in nest visitation between artificial and natural cavities, and first and last fledging dates. The team is also finding wild nests and monitoring and protecting them from predators. A conservation center provides continuing education to surrounding villages and schools to boost support for the birds, and thousands of native trees have been cultivated and planted out in an ongoing reforestation effort.

In 2016 an undocumented group of at least ten adults was discovered in the Municipal Protected Area of the Great Tectonic Lakes of Exaltación in Bolivia, by the project team and the Municipality of Exaltación. In early 2017 the WPT helped local and international partners establish the Gran Mojos reserve, a massive new protected area for the macaws and other species. The 1.5M acre reserve harbours 35% of the known wild population, and approximately 50% of the known breeding pairs. In 2017, after intensive nest management during the breeding season, 9 chicks were fledged.

Maximizing breeding success in the wild by finding and monitoring new nests and known ones

Restoring important macaw habitat by planting and fencing palm islands frequented by the birds, protecting nest trees on private land, and advocating for the formal protection of large tracts of habitat

Reducing the effects of trapping of wild birds by providing guidance, training and infrastructure for local authorities

Increasing macaw populations through captive-breeding and reintroduction, and caring for wild chicks which fail to thrive

Promoting local stewardship of the macaws via educational and economic opportunities (such as sustainable tourism)

With your help we can complete these important tasks to better understand the species and further their conservation.

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IUCN/CITES Status: Critically Endangered / Appendix I

Wild population: Under 200 individuals.

Where found: Occurs only in the seasonally flooded savannahs and elevated palm 'islands' in Llanos de Mojos in NC Bolivia, being concentrated east of the upper Río Mamoré, Beni. A smaller population exists in the Municipal Protected Area of the Great Tectonic Lakes of Exaltación.

History: The Blue-throated Macaw is a Bolivian species that has become increasingly endangered in recent times even though, according to locals, the wild population prior to the 1980s was thought to number 500-1000 individuals. By the end of the decade the birds had all but disappeared. In 1992 they were rediscovered, and within a few short years the birds were caught to near-extinction by trappers for the pet trade, leaving a small population scattered over a wide area of habitat.

Although most trapping for the pet trade ended over a decade ago, the species remains in a precarious state as only 10-15 breeding pairs are known to exist in the wild. Crucially, these pairs are scattered across an expansive landscape. The successful recruitment of new breeding pairs into the population appears to be rare and may be the chief factor limiting the recovery of the species.

Threats:

Intensive harvesting for the pet trade, between the late 1970s and early 1990's

Disappearance of nest trees due to burning and clearing for farming

Nest failure from predation by other animals

Extreme weather patterns (flooding and drought) causing the loss of eggs and chicks in nest cavities

Botfly infestation, which can kill very young chicks (~5 days)

Ecology: This macaw ranges in a small area in the Beni department in NC Bolivia. It is found in flooded areas, such as savannas, palm groves and species-poor tropical forest in wet lowlands, up to 300m (984 ft). Its diet includes mainly Motacú palm fruits, seeds and leaves.